Chapter 3 - The Merger Built on Lies
By noon, the story had begun leaking.
Not the assault details—not yet. Victoria insisted that Ava’s medical privacy be protected. But reporters had noticed federal marshals entering the Huxley penthouse, investigators removing boxes, and Huxley Global stock dropping before the markets even opened.
The business world had questions.
Grant had no answers.
He sat in a conference room at Huxley Global headquarters surrounded by lawyers, board members, and executives who had spent years laughing at his jokes and praising his instincts.
Now nobody spoke.
The company’s general counsel placed a tablet in front of him.
“The Stanton merger has been suspended.”
Grant stared at the screen.
“That is temporary.”
“The federal order freezes all transactions connected to the medical logistics contracts.”
“Then separate those contracts.”
“We can’t.”
Grant’s jaw tightened.
“Why not?”
“Because they are integrated into the financing structure.”
Across the table, his CFO, Michael Rowe, avoided eye contact.
Grant noticed.
“What aren’t you saying?”
Michael finally looked up.
“The investigators have the offshore transfers.”
Grant went still.
Savannah had promised the records were protected.
She had promised the accounts could not be traced.
She had promised Ava was too gentle, too isolated, and too afraid to become a threat.
Grant stood suddenly.
“Where is Savannah?”
No one answered.
She had been taken for questioning before sunrise.
At the federal office downtown, Savannah sat across from Prosecutor Naomi Park.
Her diamonds had been removed.
Her red satin gown had been replaced by a plain gray blouse.
Without Grant beside her, she looked younger. Smaller. Less certain.
“He told me it was legal,” Savannah said.
Naomi did not react.
“Mr. Huxley told you federal hospital contracts could be routed through shell companies legally?”
“He said it was complicated.”
“And you believed him?”
Savannah looked down.
“I loved him.”
Naomi slid a printed message across the table.
Grant: Once Ava signs, we have full leverage.
Savannah: What if she tells her mother?
Grant: Victoria Wren protects her reputation. She will keep it private.
Savannah’s face tightened.
Then Naomi showed another message.
Savannah: She’s scared of you.
Grant: Good. Fear keeps people loyal.
Savannah closed her eyes.
“He was not supposed to hurt her,” she whispered.
Naomi leaned forward.
“But he did.”
“I only told him Ava spoke to the reporter because I was angry.”
“You lied.”
“Yes.”
“You knew he had a temper.”
“Yes.”
“You knew Ava was eight months pregnant.”
Savannah began crying.
“I didn’t think—”
“That is the problem,” Naomi said. “You did not think about Ava at all.”
Meanwhile, at the hospital, Ava watched the coverage in silence.
Her mother sat beside her with a cup of tea.
“Do you want me to turn it off?” Victoria asked.
“No.”
The anchor spoke about market losses, board uncertainty, and the potential collapse of the Stanton merger.
Ava did not feel satisfaction.
She felt grief.
Not for Grant.
For the life she thought they were building.
“He will say I betrayed him,” Ava whispered.
“He may.”
“And people will believe him.”
“Some people will.”
Ava looked at her mother.
“Does that ever stop hurting?”
Victoria considered the question.
“No. But eventually you stop needing everyone to understand.”
The hospital door opened again.
This time, it was Patricia Lowell from the Chronicle.
Ava stiffened.
Patricia held up both hands.
“I am not here for a story.”
“Then why are you here?”
“Because I knew your father. And because I need you to understand something before the headlines begin.”
Victoria’s expression sharpened.
Patricia continued.
“Grant’s operation is bigger than the merger. The hospital contracts are only one part. He has been using the Huxley Foundation to move money, influence city officials, and force smaller companies to sell their assets.”
Ava looked toward the window.
“And he thought I knew?”
“He suspected you found documents. He was scared you would connect them to the federal investigation.”
Patricia sat in the chair across from Ava.
“There is one more thing.”
Ava’s stomach tightened.
“What?”
“Your name appears on several documents.”
Ava stared at her.
“My name?”
“Grant used your legal research firm as a reference in one proposal. It made the deal look more credible.”
Victoria’s face changed.
“He used Ava’s name without consent?”
“Yes.”
Ava felt the room spin.
Grant had not only lied to her.
He had used her reputation to protect his crimes.
And suddenly, she understood why he had been so desperate to control her.
May you like
He did not fear losing his wife.
He feared the woman who could prove he had forged her trust.
